U.S. patent application number 10/563945 was filed with the patent office on 2007-03-01 for filter cartridge.
Invention is credited to Andreas Wawrla, Klaus Zucholl.
Application Number | 20070045170 10/563945 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34066315 |
Filed Date | 2007-03-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070045170 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Wawrla; Andreas ; et
al. |
March 1, 2007 |
Filter cartridge
Abstract
The invention relates to an environmentally friendly water
filter cartridge (10) for use in the water tank (1) of a household
machine such as a beverage dispenser or the like that is easy to
dispose of after use. To this end, the invention provides that a
discharge line (7) running outside the filter housing (12) is
provided with the connecting elements for connecting to a suction
line of the household machine.
Inventors: |
Wawrla; Andreas; (Widnau,
CH) ; Zucholl; Klaus; (Mannheim, DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
William D Breneman;Breneman & Georges
3150 Commonwealth Avenue
Alexandria
VA
22305
US
|
Family ID: |
34066315 |
Appl. No.: |
10/563945 |
Filed: |
July 9, 2004 |
PCT Filed: |
July 9, 2004 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP04/07605 |
371 Date: |
May 18, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
210/435 |
Current CPC
Class: |
C02F 1/001 20130101;
A47J 31/605 20130101; B01D 35/027 20130101; C02F 2201/006
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
210/435 |
International
Class: |
B01D 35/28 20060101
B01D035/28 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 10, 2003 |
DE |
103 31 402.4 |
Dec 17, 2003 |
DE |
103 59 443.4 |
Claims
1. A water filter cartridge for insertion in the water tank of a
household machine, such as a beverage dispenser, in particular a
coffee dispenser, a steam cleaner or the like, with a filter
casing, in which a filter material is arranged between a lower
inlet and upper outlet, wherein the casing in the floor area has
one or more water inlet openings, characterized in that a discharge
line (7) running outside the filter casing (2) is provided with
connecting elements for coupling to a suction line (5) of the
household machine.
2. A water filter cartridge according to claim 1, characterized in
that a coupling (9, 11) is provided between the discharge line (7)
and the filter casing (12).
3. A water tank for a household machine, such as a beverage
dispenser, in particular a coffee dispenser, a steam cleaner or the
like, and a water filter cartridge according to claim 1 or 2,
characterized in that the discharge line is designed as a penstock
(7) inside the water tank (1).
4. A water tank according to claim 3, characterized in that the
discharge line is routed laterally out of the water tank (1).
5. A water tank according to one of the aforementioned claims 3 or
4, characterized in that the discharge line (25) is designed as a
penstock outside the water tank (26).
6. A water tank according to one of the aforementioned claims 3 to
5, characterized in that the discharge line (19) is designed as a
penstock through a separating wall inside the water tank (21).
7. A water tank according to one of the aforementioned claims 3 to
6, characterized in that a sealable connection opening (17) is
provided in the floor area of the water tank (1) in the discharge
line (7) designed as a penstock.
8. A water tank according to one of the aforementioned claims 3 to
7, characterized in that the connection opening can be sealed using
a water filter cartridge.
9. A household machine, such as a beverage dispenser, in particular
a coffee dispenser, a steam cleaner or the like, with a water tank
(1) according to one of claims 3 to 8, and a water filter cartridge
(10) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that
coupling elements (6, 8) are provided for connecting the discharge
line (7) of the filter cartridge with the suction line (5) of the
household machine.
10. A household machine according to claim 9, characterized in that
the discharge line (7) is designed as an adapter piece between the
filter cartridge (10) and coupling elements (6, 8) of the suction
line (5) of the household machine.
Description
[0001] The invention relates to a filter cartridge according to the
preamble of claim 1, as well as to a water tank for a household
machine with such a filter cartridge, along with a corresponding
household machine.
[0002] Filter cartridges have become known in beverage dispensers
that are used directly in the water tank of the beverage dispenser.
These filter cartridges are provided with water inlet openings on
the floor, through which the water enters, and then passes the
filter material up-current. The filtered water is subsequently
routed downwardly in a central penstock inside the filter
cartridge, where the filter cartridge or penstock is connected with
a suction port of the machine.
[0003] The object of the invention is to propose an environmentally
friendly filter cartridge that can be disposed of as easily as
possible.
[0004] This object is achieved based on a water filter cartridge of
the kind mentioned at the outset by the characterizing features of
Claim 1.
[0005] The measures cited in the subclaims enable advantageous
embodiments and further developments of the invention.
[0006] Consequently, a water filter cartridge according to the
invention is characterized in that a discharge line running outside
the filter casing is provided with a connection to a suction line
of the household machine.
[0007] This measure eliminates the need for a central penstock. The
filter casing design can be simplified, which facilitates the
filling and emptying process. The less complicated filter structure
reduces the consumption of material for building purposes, thereby
easing the subsequent disposal of spent filter cartridges. The
smoother material separation capability also simplifies disposal by
producing waste cleanly separated by grade.
[0008] If a pourable filter material is provided, both sides of the
filter material must have a water-permeable separating wall, e.g.,
in the form of a sieve. Such a separating wall is also
significantly easier to design without a central penstock.
[0009] In addition, a coupling is advantageously provided between
the discharge line and filter casing. In this way, the discharge
line running outside the filter casing can be retained when
changing out the filter cartridge, thereby further reducing the
material outlay for the insert to be replaced. In turn, the
repeated decrease in the quantity of material to be changed
facilitates disposal.
[0010] In addition, this also simplifies filter assembly, since the
connecting line for the discharge line remaining on the household
machine can at least be made visible to the user, and even directly
accessible, depending on the model.
[0011] In a special embodiment of the invention, the discharge line
is designed as a penstock in the water tank. One advantage to this
is that the filter cartridge can be used in conventional beverage
dispensers, in which a water outlet is provided in the floor area
of the water tank. As mentioned above, the penstock is here
preferably fabricated as a part separate from the filter cartridge
that is inserted into the water tank, and remains there even when
changing the filter. The filter cartridge is detachably coupled
with the stationary penstock, wherein the connection can lie over
or under the water level. The need for any major sealing measures
is eliminated, since this coupling point between the penstock and
filter casing is arranged inside the water tank, as is the case
with the coupling point between the penstock and suction port. As
indicated above, the filter cartridge itself can be fabricated as a
simple casing that can easily be filled with filter material and
again emptied, and hence enables disposal of cleanly sorted
waste.
[0012] In addition, such a casing can be cleaned and refilled, so
that only the filter material itself accrues as waste.
[0013] In another embodiment of the invention, the discharge line
is outside the water storage tank. The advantage to this is that
the water tank used need no longer have an opening on the floor. In
addition, such a discharge line could be securely linked directly
to the corresponding suction line of the household machine, in
particular of a coffee dispenser. This discharge line can here be
provided outside the water tank as a penstock, or make a transition
directly into the suction line of the machine, e.g., of a coffee
dispenser, without a drop path.
[0014] In this case, the channel for the discharge line could lie
above the water level, so that, while sealing measures might still
be required to make the suction line airtight, the water is
collected in the water tank in case of an undesired leakage of
water. In this case, a corresponding passageway would be favorable
in the upper region of the water tank, making it possible to remove
the water tank with or without a filter cartridge if the cover is
lifted while avoiding any adverse impact on the part of the
discharge line.
[0015] If the connection exists outside the water tank, the
discharge line would additionally not have to be designed as a
penstock, but rather could be routed directly to corresponding
machine components at a suitable height.
[0016] In another preferred embodiment of the invention, a penstock
is formed by means of a separating wall in the water tank. Such a
separating wall is easy to set up while fabricating the water tank,
which often has a flat shape for various reasons, in particular in
beverage dispensers. In this case, the discharge line is very easy
to design. The upper side of the penstock separated from the
remainder of the water tank by a separating wall must then be
provided with corresponding coupling elements for hooking up the
filter cartridge.
[0017] A penstock permanently integrated into the water tank, e.g.,
a penstock formed by means of such a separating wall or a penstock
of the filter cartridge separately secured inside the water tank is
provided with a sealable opening in the floor area of the water
tank. This makes it possible to operate the corresponding machine
without the filter cartridge inserted by opening this connection
opening. Arranging this connection opening near the floor makes it
possible to empty the water tank at least to the level of this
opening even without a filter cartridge. Seal actuation can here be
coupled with the filter insertion, or take place separately, either
manually or automatically, via the household machine.
[0018] In an advantageous further development of this embodiment,
the process of sealing or opening this connection opening is linked
with the insertion or removal of a water filter cartridge. For
example, this can be initiated by a corresponding sliding
mechanism, if necessary fitted with sealing elements, which is
actuated by closing the coupling between the penstock and filter
cartridge.
[0019] Twisting the penstock to establish the coupling with the
filter cartridge would also be conceivable, so as to simultaneously
seal a connection opening near the floor. Additionally conceivable
is a special further development of the invention, in which the
filter cartridge is positively attached to the separate penstock,
sealing a corresponding opening via the outer wall of the filter
casing in the process.
[0020] Given a separating wall in the water tank for setting up a
penstock, for example, a filter cartridge could be passed in a
corresponding guide of the separating wall and inserted up to the
connection opening.
[0021] As already mentioned above, a coupling is provided between
the discharge line and suction line in a special embodiment of the
invention. On the one hand, the advantage to this is that a filter
cartridge according to the invention can also be used in existing
household machines, in particular coffee dispensers, by placing the
discharge line in the water tank and connecting it with the floor
port for the suction line. In addition, such a discharge line can
be easily exchanged in the event of a defect.
[0022] In addition, the discharge line is simultaneously designed
as an adapter piece for adjusting a filter cartridge to the
respective machine type in an advantageous further development of
this embodiment. As a result, the same filter cartridge can be used
in different machine types, or, vice versa, different filter
cartridges can be used in the exact same machine, wherein only the
corresponding adapter piece needs to be inserted, which in this
case also incorporates the discharge line of the filter
cartridge.
[0023] A filter cartridge according to the invention can
advantageously also be provided with a display indicating when the
filter must be replaced. Such a display can be equipped with a
saturation sensor, for example, which indicates when filter
capacity has been exhausted. This point in time can also be
determined by means of a flow meter or timer.
[0024] An exemplary embodiment of the invention is shown in the
drawing, and will be explained in greater detail below based on the
figures.
[0025] Shown in detail on:
[0026] FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view of a water tank with
filter cartridge according to the invention;
[0027] FIG. 2 is a schematic view of another embodiment;
[0028] FIG. 3 is a view according to FIG. 2 of a third embodiment
of the invention;
[0029] FIG. 4 is a view according to FIG. 2 and 3 of a fourth
embodiment of the invention;
[0030] FIG. 5 is a view according to FIG. 2 to 4 of a fifth
embodiment of the invention;
[0031] FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a sixth embodiment, and
[0032] FIG. 7 is a schematic view of another modified
embodiment.
[0033] FIG. 1 shows the water tank 1 of a household machine, e.g.,
a beverage dispenser or coffee dispenser. The water tank 1
encompasses a container 2, which can be sealed by means of a cover
3. The floor 4 of the water tank 1 or container 2 incorporates a
suction opening 5 for a hookup (not shown in any greater detail) to
the corresponding household machine, e.g., a beverage dispenser,
like a coffee dispenser or the like.
[0034] The inside of the suction opening 5 has an annular collar 6,
onto which a penstock 7 is attached. A sealing ring 8 is provided
in the embodiment shown to tightly connect the penstock 7.
[0035] A plug-in element 9 of a filter cartridge 10 is inserted on
the top of the penstock 7, and in turn sealed by means of a sealing
ring 11. The filter cartridge 10 comprises a tubular filter casing
12, which has a filter chamber 13 sealed by two sieves 14, 15. The
filter chamber 13 accommodates the required filter material. As
shown on FIG. 1, the filter casing 12 is hence open below, so that
the gap 16 between the filter casing 12 and container floor 4 forms
the inlet into the filter chamber 13.
[0036] As soon as water is drawn in at the suction opening 5, it
flows upwardly through the filter chamber 13 to the upper region of
the penstock 7.
[0037] Once the filter cartridge 10 has been spent, it along with
the plug-in element 9 is removed from the penstock 7 and replaced.
The penstock 7 can here remain in the water tank 1.
[0038] In the embodiment shown, the penstock 7 is easily designed
as an adapter piece that can be inserted between various kinds of
connecting elements.
[0039] FIG. 2 shows another embodiment that essentially corresponds
to the one depicted on FIG. 1. The difference here is that the
filter cartridge is form-fit to the penstock 7 in the lower region.
This makes it possible to establish a through opening 17 denoted by
the line between the interior of the container 2 and interior of
the penstock 7, which is sealed by the wall area 18 of the filter
cartridge 10 with the filter cartridge inserted. In this way, the
water tank 1 can be emptied to a level h at which the opening 17
lies even with the filter cartridge 10 removed, meaning that the
corresponding household machine can also be operated without a
filter cartridge.
[0040] The embodiment according to FIG. 3 again essentially
reflects the aforementioned exemplary embodiments, wherein the
penstock 19 is now formed by means of a separating wall 20 in the
edge area of the water tank 21. This embodiment does not require an
adapter corresponding to the penstock 7 between the filter
cartridge 10 and penstock 19.
[0041] FIG. 4 shows an embodiment according to FIG. 3, wherein the
filter cartridge 10 now runs tightly along the separating wall 20,
so that an opening 22 near the floor in the separating wall 20 can
now be sealed by the corresponding wall area 23 of the filter
cartridge 10. A sealing element 24 has here been drawn in to denote
the capability of implementing additional sealing measures.
[0042] This embodiment also enables operation of the corresponding
household machine without a filter cartridge 10, wherein the water
can again flow through the opening 22 with the filter cartridge
removed.
[0043] By contrast, FIG. 5 shows a differently configured
embodiment of the invention. The penstock 25 is here located
outside the water tank 26, which hence has no opening in the
container floor 27.
[0044] The filter cartridge 28 is coupled in the upper region of
the water tank 26. Corresponding coupling elements 30 are only
indicated on FIG. 5. For example, a plug-in coupling can be
provided in this location.
[0045] Arranging the coupling elements 30 in the upper area of the
water tank 26 makes it possible to take the filter cartridge off
the penstock 25, and then remove the water tank 26. If the mount
for the water tank 26 is designed correctly, the water tank 26 can
conceivably also be removed from below with the cover 29 opened,
without removing the filter cartridge 28 from the penstock 25.
[0046] The penstock 25 can here be connected as a fixed component
of the corresponding machine, e.g., a beverage dispenser, or again
be provided as a separate part. Given a separate design, the
penstock 25 can be used as an adapter piece for adjusting a
specific filter cartridge 28 to a plurality of household machines
or hooking various filter cartridges 28 to a specific household
machine.
[0047] FIG. 6 and 7 schematically show two additional embodiments
of the invention. FIG. 6 depicts an embodiment in which the
coupling 31 between the penstock 32 and filter casing is arranged
in the cover 33. By contrast, the coupling 34 in the embodiment
according to FIG. 7 is secured in the area of the lateral wall
35.
REFERENCE LIST
[0048] 1 Water tank [0049] 2 Container [0050] 3 Cover [0051] 4
Floor [0052] 5 Suction opening [0053] 6 Annular collar [0054] 7
Penstock [0055] 8 Sealing ring [0056] 9 Plug-in element [0057] 10
Filter cartridge [0058] 11 Sealing ring [0059] 12 Filter casing
[0060] 13 Filter chamber [0061] 14 Sieve [0062] 15 Sieve [0063] 16
Gap [0064] 17 Opening [0065] 18 Wall area [0066] 19 Penstock [0067]
20 Separating wall [0068] 21 Water tank [0069] 22 Opening [0070] 23
Wall area [0071] 24 Sealing element [0072] 25 Penstock [0073] 26
Water tank [0074] 27 Floor [0075] 28 Filter cartridge [0076] 29
Cover [0077] 30 Coupling element [0078] 31 Coupling [0079] 32
Penstock [0080] 33 Cover [0081] 34 Coupling [0082] 35 Lateral
wall
* * * * *